A rack can provide an easy way to carry heavy and bulky loads on your bicycle whether you are taking a quick trip or touring cross-country. Many bicycles today are designed with holes existing in the frame that can easily accommodate a rack installation. There is special hardware available to attach a rack securely to the frame of your bicycle even if the frame does not have existing holes.
Step 1
Use a straight bracket if your bicycle has a bridge between the seat stays, the two frame supports that run from the seat to the axle. Use a pair of twist brackets if your bicycle has two round rings on the top of each seat stay, called braze-ons. Use a seat post clamp and a twist bracket if there is no seat stay bridge or braze-ons. Use a pair of seat stay clamps if the frame of your bicycle has no existing holes above the axle for the rack supports.
Step 2
Locate the holes in the frame above the axle. If the frame has no existing holes, place the seat stay clamps around the seat stays, above the axle, with the holes in the clamps on the upper side of the seat stay.
Step 3
Align the hole in one rack support with the hole in the frame or the holes in the seat stay clamp. Insert a bolt and tighten it with an Allen or adjustable wrench if the hole in the frame is threaded. Otherwise, insert a bolt through the holes, place a washer onto the bolt, thread a nut on, and tighten the nut and bolt with the adjustable wrench. Repeat this step on the other side to secure the other rack support.
Step 4
Align the hole in the straight bracket with the hole in the seat stay bridge or the hole in a twist bracket with the hole in a braze-on. Place the seat post clamp around the seat post and insert the twist bracket into the clamp for bikes without a bridge or braze-ons. Align the holes and insert a bolt through them. Place a washer onto the bolt, thread a nut on, and tighten the nut and bolt with the adjustable wrench.
Step 5
Attach the other end of the straight bracket or each twist bracket to one of the holes in the top of the bicycle rack by aligning the holes, inserting a bolt, and placing a washer and nut on the bolt. Level the rack and tighten the nut and bolt with the adjustable wrench.
Tips and Warnings
- Some types of racks have adjustment screws on the rack supports that can be used to level the rack on the bike.
Things You'll Need
- Allen wrench set or adjustable wrench
- Brackets appropriate for frame style
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